Western Australian demersal fishers still await $20 million payout nine months after ban

When the Western Australian government halted the West Coast demersal fishery along a 900-kilometre coastline, it set aside $20 million to compensate commercial operators. Nearly nine months later, the majority of those affected have not received any payment, and the fisheries minister, Jackie Jarvis, has ended the previous arrangement with a Perth barrister, opting to negotiate directly. About half of the displaced fleet have hired a Melbourne-based law firm to press for their share, citing a lack of information and a confusing process.

Some licence holders have been paid based on licence value, but lessees such as James Oliver were told they are not entitled to compensation, forcing him to sell his boat and seek work elsewhere. The WA Fishing Industry Council’s chief executive, Manue Daniels, expressed hope that ministerial involvement will accelerate settlements, yet fishers warn that prolonged delays threaten their ability to meet basic expenses. The situation underscores the complexity of compensating a diverse group of operators, from wet-line boats to shark vessels and related businesses.